Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane must have had an internal March 6th deadline for many of the “pre-agency” decisions on his plate. In one of the bigger Wednesday News Dumps in recent memory, Buffalo announced 5 outright releases, 1 Post June 1st Designation, a cap conversion, a renegotiated contract, 2 contract extensions, 2 free agent signings, & a partridge in a pear tree.

All told (based on the information we’ve secured right now), the Bills started March 6th with -$41M of cap space, and close up shop significantly closer to cap compliance (details on the Trubisky & Rapp contracts still pending).

A few more cap clearing moves could be in the cards for Buffalo, as we’ve made note of here.

RELEASES ($25.955M cap saved)

Mitch Morse, C

Morse has been the starting center in Buffalo for the past 5 seasons, but the almost 32-year-old was entering a contract year in 2024, set to earn $8.5M against an $11.5M cap hit. His release frees up $8.5M in cap space. League sources have announced that the Bills plan to slide Connor McGovern from guard to center for the upcoming season.

Jordan Poyer, FS

After 7 outstanding seasons in Buffalo’s defensive backfield, Poyer returns to the open market. The almost-33-year-old was set to earn $5.75M against a $7.72M cap hit in 2024, and should have interest in free agency at a slightly less price point. His release clears $5.72M of space for Buffalo.

Nyheim Hines, RB/KR

Hines suffered a season-ending injury off the field last summer, putting his future in Buffalo in peril from that point on. Factor that into a $5M salary/$5.1M cap hit for the upcoming season, and it made the Bills’ decision to take the $4.66M of space fairly easy this winter.

Deonte Harty, WR/KR

The Bills approached Harty about a pay cut to stick around, but the two sides failed to agree on a number. The barely 26-year-old weapon hits the open market with a chance to secure a larger role on his third NFL franchise. Buffalo freed up $4.195M of space per this release.

Siran Neal, S

An important special-team player in Buffalo since 2018, Neal’s $3.4M cap hit for the upcoming season became too rich to carry. The near 30-year-old’s release frees up $2.88M of cap space.

CAP CONVERSION ($2.5M cap saved)

Rasul Douglas, CB

Acquired from Green Bay at last October’s deadline, Douglas made himself an integral piece to Buffalo’s secondary in a short period of time, making him an outside extension candidate this winter. Buffalo instead opted to convert a bit of his base salary ($1.5M) plus a $2M roster bonus into a signing bonus, clearing $2.5M of space when factoring in 3 void years.

RENEGOTIATION ($8.645M cap saved)

Von Miller, DE

In maybe the biggest surprise of the winter thus far, Von Miller appears to have agreed to a significant initial pay cut. The almost-35-year-old carried a $10.71M guarantee into this offseason, & all of his $17.145M base salary for 2024 was set to become fully guaranteed by March 18th. Instead, Buffalo handed Miller a $7M roster bonus (which may be treated as a signing bonus at some point this offseason), lowered his base salary down to $1.5M, and added $11.145M of incentives, offering Miller a chance to earn some of this money back by the end of the year. A breakdown of these not likely to be earned incentives can be found here.

POST JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION

Tre'Davious White, CB

The Bills haven’t formally announced this yet (likely because they can’t formalize this until March 13th), but Buffalo appears poised to designate White a Post 6/1 release. The Bills will carry White’s $16,443,737 cap figure into June, then take on dead hits of $6,234,918 in 2024, & $4,134,918 in 2025. Buffalo will open up $10,208,819 of cap space on June 2nd, just in time to sign a class of draft picks.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

Mitchell Trubisky, QB

The Bills carried Trubisky through the 2021 to backup Josh Allen, and appear poised to do the same for the upcoming 2024 campaign. The former #2 overall pick earned $8M in Pittsburgh last season. It’s safe to say his deal in Buffalo won’t approach that, but financial details are still TBD at this moment.

Matt Haack, P

Like Trubisky, Haack was a member of the Bills back in 2021, but has bounced around quite a bit since. Last year punter Sam Martin is set to enter Year 2 of a 3 year, $6M contract, but an outright release this week can free up $1.35M of cap space. It seems likely that’s a move still to come from Buffalo. 

EXTENSIONS

David Edwards, G

Buffalo kept Edwards off of the open market on a 2 year, $6M contract that includes $2.95M guaranteed (all in 2024). The 27-year-old will compete for a starting guard spot on this O-Line, and can increase his 2024 pay (and 2025 salary) by $1.25M based on unspecified playing time incentives. Edwards stands to count $2.31M against the Bills' 2024 cap, which could be excellent value if he wins the starting left guard role.

Taylor Rapp, S

With much of the secondary on their way to the open market (or retirement) this winter, Buffalo secured one important piece, bringing back Rapp on a 3 year contract that can reportedly max out at $14.5M. Spotrac had him valued at $5.5M per year. Full breakdown coming soon.

RELATED

• Bills Transactions
• Bills Free Agents

Nine players were handed a tag ahead of the 2024 league year, including 1 (rare) transition tender. Spotrac details each player’s current offer, potential future outcome, & projected long-term extension. As a reminder, teams now have until July 15th to come to terms on a multi-year extension with these players. If no deal is completed, the player must play on a 1 year contract for the 2024 season (though not necessarily at the value of the tag).

RELATED
NFL Franchise Tag Tracker
NFL Transition Tag Tracker
NFL Free Agency Tracker

Tee Higgins (WR, Bengals)

2024 Tag: $21,816,000
The Bengals now have Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase on the books at $31.6M of combined cap in 2024. An extension for Chase likely increases his ($9.8M) cap figure. An extension for Higgins most certainly lowers his tag hit in 2024. Are either likely in the coming months? Spotrac projects big numbers for both.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, Colts)

2024 Tag: $21,816,000
Pittman’s tag immediately becomes the 3rd highest cap hit on an up and coming Colts roster. Indy still rolls toward the league year with around $53M of Top 51 cap space - even after accounting for this franchise tender. Spotrac projects a 4 year, $100M extension for the 26-year-old this summer.

Justin Madubuike (DT, Ravens)

2024 Tag: $22,102,000
Talk about peaking at the right time. Madubuike entered 2023 with 8.5 sacks combined over his first three seasons. He posted 13 sacks, 15 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles last year, setting himself up for a top of the market interior defender contract. Mathematically speaking, that looks like a 4 year, $82M deal in our system right now.

Brian Burns (OLB, Panthers)

2024 Tag: $24,007,000
Burns’ $24M tag represents the 2nd highest cap hit on Carolina’s books right now (Taylor Moton, $29.7M). Burns is the type of player you’d love to build a defense around, but are they starting the entire process over again? He’s a 4 year, $88M player in our system, but that might be another team’s contract to sign if a tag+trade is in the works.

Josh Allen (OLB, Jaguars)

2024 Tag: $24,007,000
The Jags are in for another major facelift on the defensive side of the ball, but keeping Allen as the centerpiece appears to be in their plans as well. Mathematically speaking, the #7 overall pick is a $24M per year player (aligning with the tag value), but it stands to reason that a deal in the $27M per year range makes sense. 5 years, $135M ($95M guaranteed).

L'Jarius Sneed (CB, Chiefs)

2024 Tag: $19,802,000
The Chiefs haven’t been shy about where this is likely headed. Sneed was always destined for the tag this winter, and will now explore trade options in an effort to give KC the best possible outcome in losing such a valuable player. Trade buyer beware though, because he’ll be requiring a top of the market CB contract upon arrival. Something in the 5 year, $95M ($65M guaranteed) range sounds about right.

Jaylon Johnson (CB, Bears)

2024 Tag: $19,802,000
It seems as though Johnson & the Bears have been close in their discussions, but offers in the $15M-$16M per year range likely need to inflate into the $18M+ conversations with the tag number where it is. The Bears are trying to build a winner quickly. Keeping a talented CB1 in the fold, and happy, seems a priority here. 5 years, $90M ($60M guaranteed).

Antoine Winfield Jr. (S, Buccaneers)

2024 Tag: $17,123,000
Winfield Jr. can do everything, and should be paid accordingly. This is one of those scenarios where the tag represents “value” versus where the player deserves to be paid on an annual basis. 4 years, $80M ($48M guaranteed)

Kyle Dugger (S, Patriots)

2024 Tag: $13,815,000
New England opted for the transition tag with Dugger, a value that aligns with the reportedly multi-year offers they made to him in recent weeks. For reference, the transition tag is a lower-priced tag, and it offers no draft compensation in return should the player sign an offer sheet and leave this offseason. The Pats are betting on that not happening. A really nice list of safeties available on the open market probably means they’ll be right. If he opts for a long-term deal in New England, 4 years, $60M ($42M guaranteed) could get it done.

With the tag window now shut closed, we have a clearer picture of players who could very well be hitting the open market when the league year officially begins on March 13th. Barring a few last minute extensions, Spotrac has identified a few notable players at each position group, including projected contracts for each.

RELATED: NFL Free Agent Tracker

QUARTERBACK

Kirk Cousins

Projected Contract: 3 years, $100M ($70M guaranteed)
Will the Vikings pony up an offer with enough guaranteed to keep Cousins in the fold, or will Denver, Atlanta, etc…get a shot to upgrade their QB1 position.

Baker Mayfield

Projected Contract: 4 years, $120M ($85M guaranteed)
Will the Bucs pony up an offer with enough guaranteed to keep Baker in the fold, or will Denver, Atlanta, etc…get a shot to upgrade their QB1 position.

Ryan Tannehill

Projected Contract: 1 year, $5M ($5M guaranteed)
Will joining a franchise with a better complement of weapons and offensive line help resurrect Tannehill’s career? It seems feasible that someone will give him a chance to compete for a QB1 role this summer.

Also: Gardner Minshew, Jacoby Brissett, Tyrod Taylor, Joshua Dobbs, Sam Darnold, Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco

View all UFA Quarterbacks

RUNNING BACK

Saquon Barkley

Projected Contract: 3 years, $30M ($12M guaranteed)
Barkley and the Giants appear headed for a divorce, meaning he’ll join a loaded RB market in free agency. Supply & Demand is not on his side here.

Josh Jacobs

Projected Contract: 3 years, $30M ($12M guaranteed)
Jacobs couldn’t recreate 2022, but he showed signs down the stretch that he can still be a versatile playmaker. A return to Las Vegas still seems likely here.

Derrick Henry

Projected Contract: 1 year, $7.5M
He’s north of 30, but still carried a depleted Tennessee offense in 2023. A return to the Titans isn’t out of the question, but contenders (Baltimore, Miami, Houston) could be a better fit next season.

Also: Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, D'Andre Swift, Gus Edwards, Devin Singletary, Ezekiel Elliott, Zack Moss, Antonio Gibson, Alexander Mattison, JK Dobbins

View all UFA Running Backs

WIDE RECEIVER

Calvin Ridley

Projected Contract: 3 years, $66M ($42M guaranteed)
A trade condition keeps Jacksonville from extending Ridley before free agency, but that doesn’t mean they’ll let him get too far immediately thereafter. Other teams may need to come swinging with massive numbers to pry him away from the Jags.

Marquise Brown

Projected Contract: 4 years, $60M ($32M guaranteed)
Browns’ production fell to a career low in 2023, making his first trek into free agency a bit of an unknown. The ceiling still seems high enough for a team or two to take a 2-year guarantee swing.

Gabriel Davis

Projected Contract: 4 years, $54M ($28M guaranteed)
Davis never really found his footing in Buffalo’s offense. Will he be this year’s version of Christian Kirk in free agency?

Also: Darnell Mooney, Tyler Boyd, Curtis Samuel, Odell Beckham, Jr., Noah Brown, Josh Reynolds, Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, DJ Chark

View all UFA Wide Receivers

TIGHT END

Hunter Henry

Projected Contract: 2 years, $15M ($8M guaranteed)
Henry was able to stand out in a diminished Patriots offense the past few seasons. At 29, there should still be a few productive seasons left in the tank.

Noah Fant

Projected Contract: 2 years, $12.5M ($6.5M guaranteed)
It feels like Fant’s ceiling as an offensive weapon has yet to be reached. Now he gets an opportunity to pick his offense.

Jonnu Smith

Projected Contract: 2 years, $12M ($6M guaranteed)
Was Smith overpaid in New England/Atlanta? Yes. But that shouldn’t diminish his ability to produce on a consistent basis.

Also: Gerald Everett, Colby Parkinson, Logan Thomas, Will Dissly, Mike Gesicki, Hayden Hurst

View all UFA Tight Ends

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Tyron Smith

Projected Contract: 1 year, $7.5M
The longtime Cowboy appears poised to test the market for the first time. He’s 33, and has battled injury of late, but players like this simply don’t become available often.

Jonah Williams

Projected Contract: 4 years, $44M ($25M guaranteed)
Williams was pushed from the left side to the right side upon the signing of Orlando Brown Jr. away from Kansas City. He fared well in the new role and offers a pedigree (and potential ceiling) that doesn’t usually hit the open market.

Trenton Brown

Projected Contract: 3 years, $22M ($14M guaranteed)
Like Smith & Williams above, Brown has experience at both Left & Right tackle. Versatility always pays in this league.

Also: Charles Leno, Jermaine Eluemunor, Donovan Smith, Josh Jones, George Fant, Cameron Fleming

View all UFA Tackles

GUARD

Kevin Dotson

Projected Contract: 4 year, $66M ($40M guaranteed)
The Steelers loss quickly became the Rams gain, as Dotson poured out his best season to date by a long shot in 2023. The 4th round pick will hit the open market as arguably the best available guard

Robert Hunt

Projected Contract: 4 year, $48M ($30M guaranteed)
The converted tackle made his mark at Right Guard in Miami’s versatile offense, putting the former #39 overall pick in line for his first big pay day this March.

Mike Onwenu

Projected Contract: 4 years, $54M ($38M guaranteed)
If the Patriots plan is to drop a rookie QB into their offense, keeping players like this should be a top priority. This could be one of those “wow” free agent contracts if he’s allowed to get there.

Also: Ezra Cleveland, Kevin Zeitler, Damien Lewis, Dalton Risner, Jonah Jackson, John Simpson

View all UFA Guards

CENTER

Lloyd Cushenberry

Projected Contract: 4 years, $33M ($24M guaranteed)
Posted a breakout season in his walk year: Always a great recipe for free agency success. He’s a phenomenal pass blocker, making him a candidate to be aligned with a rookie QB1 in 2024.

Andre James

Projected Contract: 3 years, $27M ($20M guaranteed)
James anchored an Raiders O-Line that came together nicely over the past few seasons. If he’s allowed to walk, the final contract may surprise some.

Connor Williams

Projected Contract: 1 year, $7.5M
He probably signs the largest center free agent contract this spring if not for a torn ACL last season.

Also: Aaron Brewer, Brian Allen, Tyler Biadasz, Nick Gates, Evan Brown

View all UFA Centers

INTERIOR DEFENDER

Chris Jones

Projected Contract: 3 years, $85M ($60M guaranteed)
Jones was looking for $30M per year this time last offseason. An unsuccessful holdout & a great 2023 campaign and a $33M+ franchise tag value keeps that hope alive this time around. One of the best interior DLs of this generation should have no trouble securing his asking price on the open market, but we’ll predict a slightly less figure to return to KC (again). 

Christian Wilkins

Projected Contract: 4 years, $82M ($60M guaranteed)
When factoring in age, Wilkins is probably the most attractive defensive player on many big boards this March. His numbers don’t jump off of the page (tempering his market valuation), but a deal in the $24-$26M per year range shouldn’t surprise anyone.

D.J. Reader

Projected Contract: 3 years, $45M ($32M guaranteed)
Injuries (including one late in 2023) have been the only thing holding back Reader from cashing a top of the market contract. If he can return to full strength, he’ll hold plenty of value on his next team.

Also: Sheldon Rankins, DaQuan Jones, Grover Stewart, Teair Tart, Fletcher Cox, Javon Kinlaw

View all UFA Interior Defenders

EDGE DEFENDER

Danielle Hunter

Projected Contract: 3 years, $60M ($42M guaranteed)
Hunter’s deal won’t officially void until well after the franchise tag window, so barring an extension, an edge defender with 27 sacks, 150 tackles, and 5 forced fumbles over the past two seasons is about to hit the open market. 

Leonard Williams

Projected Contract: 3 years, $60M ($42M guaranteed)
Williams hasn’t been able to recreate an elite 2020 campaign that scored him a $63M extension in March of 2021, but he’s still considered one of the best interior defensive linemen in the game. Seattle gave out a 2nd & 5th round pick this past deadline to secure him, so a healthy multi-year offer should be on the table sooner rather than later. 

Jonathan Greenard

Projected Contract: 4 years, $54M ($38M guaranteed)
A huge part of the Texans’ defensive turnaround (52 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble), Greenard is set up nicely for a major payday this March. The former 3rd round pick should secure a multi-year guarantee on the open market.

Also: Bryce Huff, Chase Young, Jadeveon Clowney, Za'Darius Smith, Josh Uche, Leonard Floyd, Denico Autry

View all UFA Edge Defenders

LINEBACKER

Patrick Queen

Projected Contract: 4 years, $75M ($53M guaranteed)
Roquan Smith’s arrival was supposed to deflate Queen’s role and value both in Baltimore and potentially on the open market. Insert a career season for Queen in 2023, and a projected price tag ($18.5M per year) that almost certainly forces the Ravens to move on this offseason.

Frankie Luvu

Projected Contract: 4 years, $44M ($30M guaranteed)
If his coverage numbers were even slightly above average, we’d be talking about a deal near the top of the off-ball market here. That’s the kind of pass rush/run stuffing player Luvu has become in Carolina. 

Jordyn Brooks

Projected Contract: 4 years, $42M ($28M guaranteed)
2023 was about proving he could fully return from the Torn ACL. Will teams need to see more to guarantee him multiple years on a contract?

Also: Bobby Wagner, Lavonte David, Eric Kendricks, Devin White, Josey Jewell, Jordan Hicks, Willie Gay Jr.

View all UFA Linebackers

CORNERBACK

Kendall Fuller

Projected Contract: 4 years, $54M ($38M guaranteed)
Tags to Jaylon Johnson & La’Darius Sneed vault Fuller into the #1 free agent CB on the open market. Generally speaking, that honor has come with quite a price tag in the past.

Steven Nelson

Projected Contract: 2 years, $16M ($9M guaranteed)
Nelson was one of the reasons the Texans took a major stride in 2023. They want him back for a few more seasons, but he’ll need a raise to stick around.

Kenny Moore

Projected Contract: 3 years, $24M ($10M guaranteed)
The former UDFA has been seeking an upgraded contract in Indy for the better part of two seasons now, and certainly did his part to help the case in 2023 (93 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1.5 sacks). Unfortunately, the slot cornerback market has leveled off mightily since he last penned his $8.3M per year contract.

Also: Darious Williams,  Chidobe Awuzie, Stephon Gilmore, Adoree' Jackson, Keisean Nixon, Myles Bryant

View all UFA Cornerbacks

SAFETY

Kamren Curl

Projected Contract: 4 year, $57M ($30M guaranteed)
Curl has risen from the #216 overall pick back in 2020 to the best available safety not named Winfield in 2024. He’s a tackling machine, and has proven to be available & reliable for a Washington defense that hasn’t always been in the best of situations (to put it nicely).

Xavier McKinney

Projected Contract: 5 years, $52M ($30M guaranteed)
McKinney was a fringe tag candidate, setting himself up for a nice payday on the open market - likely with a new team.

Kevin Byard

Projected Contract: 2 years, $14M ($10M guaranteed)
A cap casualty out of Philly, Byard remains one of the best run-stuffing defensive backs in the game. Now north of 30, and with safeties having a tough go in free agency of late, look for this number to be a little lower than expected.

Also: Geno Stone, Julian Blackmon, Jordan Whitehead, Jordan Fuller, Darnell Savage, Micah Hyde

View all UFA Safeties

As the March 11th “tampering period” nears, Spotrac has developed complete contract extension projections for 12 notable wide receivers, including two (Mike Evans, Calvin Ridley) who seem certain to get to the open market in 10 days.

Justin Jefferson (Vikings, 25)

Quick Details
4 years, $128,000,000
$32,000,000 AAV
$70M guaranteed at signing
$100M practically guaranteed

Jefferson is entering his 5th-year option season in Minnesota, set to earn a fully guaranteed $19.743M in 2024. He brings a nearly perfect resume to the negotiating table, putting pressure on the Vikings not only to pony up in his regard, but in how they make decisions at the QB position & as a whole this offseason. Spotrac is projecting a 4 year extension that includes a whopping $70M fully guaranteed at signing, which would currently rank 15th in the entire NFL, and 1st among WRs by nearly $20M (Tyreek Hill, $52.5M). The projection includes $100M of practical guarantee through the 2027 season.

CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys, 25)

Quick Details
4 years, $120,000,000
$30,000,000 AAV
$55M guaranteed at signing
$75M practically guaranteed

Lamb enters his 5th-year option season in 2024, set to earn a fully guaranteed $17.9M from Dallas. His stock has risen each of the past 4 seasons, culminating with a 135 reception, 1,750 yard, 12 TD campaign last year. It seems highly likely that Lamb is on his way to the top of the non-Justin-Jefferson market sooner rather than later. Spotrac is projecting a 4 year extension that includes $75M practically guaranteed through the 2026 season. It might not be enough.

Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals, 24)

Quick Details
4 years, $120,000,000
$30,000,000 AAV
$46M guaranteed at signing
$70M practically guaranteed

Injuries to himself & to QB Joe Burrow over the past two seasons have limited Chase’s ability to reach his max ceiling. Cincinnati likely pays a king’s ransom to see that happen within their offense soon. The 24-year-old has 2 years, $26.6M left on his rookie deal through 2025, so there’s not an immediate rush to get something done here, but it’s certainly worth discussing. Spotrac projects a $70M guarantee over the next 3 seasons, including back to back $20M bonuses to keep cap hits at bay while this contending team continues to get more and more expensive across the board.

Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions, 24)

Quick Details
4 years, $112,000,000
$28,000,000 AAV
$45M guaranteed at signing
$65M practically guaranteed

Much to the surprise of some, St. Brown has now posted back-to-back 100+ catch, 1100 yard seasons in Detroit, fully entrenching himself as the #1 WR option for Jared Goff and co. in 2023. The former 4th round pick enters a contract year in 2024, set to earn a non-guaranteed $3.3M (thanks to a proven performance escalator). Spotrac projects a 4 year, $112M tack on extension, including $45M fully guaranteed at signing, and $65M locked in by next March. The deal contains a team-friendly $7.5M cap hit in 2024 to allow the Lions to extend & acquire core players as they push toward the top of the NFC.

Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins, 25)

Quick Details
3 years, $82,500,000
$27,500,000 AAV
$46M guaranteed at signing
$60M practically guaranteed

With Tyreek Hill now north of 30, extending Jaylen Waddle carries both a short & long-term benefit for the Dolphins.The 25-year-old still has 2 years, $19.8M remaining on his rookie deal, so an extension this offseason isn’t imperative, but still remains likely. Spotrac is projecting a double bonus structure in Year 1 & Year 2 to keep cap hits at bay through 2026, plus $50M fully guaranteed at signing.

Tee Higgins (Bengals, 25)

Quick Details
4 years, $104,000,000
$26,000,000 AAV
$40M guaranteed at signing
$60M practically guaranteed

The Bengals have offered Higgins a $21.8M franchise tag this February, resetting his value to a minimum of that figure from here forward. Cincinnati can now negotiate against themselves into July, hoping to find a way to lock in both Higgins & Ja’Marr Chase in the next two offseasons. Spotrac projects an extension that offers $3.25M more than a double franchise tag through 2025, with $60M fully guaranteed through 2026.

Brandon Aiyuk (49ers, 26)

Quick Details
4 years, $96,000,000
$24,000,000 AAV
$40M guaranteed at signing
$57.6M practically guaranteed

Aiyuk’s status in San Francisco is very much in question, but it’s nothing a few (dozen) million guaranteed can’t fix. The 26-year-old showed his worth in 2023, and enters 2024 on a $14.1M fully guaranteed 5th-year-option. Spotrac is projecting a 4 year, $96M tack on extension, including $40M fully guaranteed at signing, and nearly $58M fully locked in by next March. It’s a 1A version of Deebo Samuel’s deal with the Niners, so if Aiyuk is traded to a team that will increase his role to a true WR1, this projection likely becomes a floor, not a ceiling.

DeVonta Smith (Eagles, 25)

Quick Details
3 years, $72,000,000
$24,000,000 AAV
$32.5M guaranteed at signing
$50.5M practically guaranteed

Smith’s rookie contract holds 2 years, $19M remaining on it, so an extension isn’t required this offseason. Like many players on this list, Smith’s extension would mean that two high profile wide receivers on a respective team are under a veteran contract - something not all franchises will be willing to do right now. Spotrac has projected a very Philly-style-structure here for Smith’s extension, including a double bonus payout over the next two seasons that keeps the cap hits under $8M. This would align nicely with the stability of A.J. Brown’s contract, allowing a transfer of power to happen after the 2025 season as needed.

Mike Evans (Buccaneers, 30)

Quick Details
3 years, $75,000,000
$25,000,000 AAV
$50M guaranteed at signing
$50M practically guaranteed

Evans appears poised to hit the open market on March 13th, which inflates his value. It also means that the Buccaneers didn’t offer a “blow me away” contract in the past few weeks. Does $50M fully guaranteed at signing qualify as a sticker shock for the 30-year-old? Here’s the issue. There may be 3 teams willing to offer Mike Evans the exact contract that Spotrac has projected here - which only further inflates his price point. Wide Receivers like this simply don’t get to the open market, and when they do, the numbers never disappoint.

Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts, 26)

Quick Details
4 years, $100,000,000
$25,000,000 AAV
$40M guaranteed at signing
$65M practically guaranteed

Pittman was a late bloomer in Indy, but with so much change at the coaching & QB levels, it’s tough to place too much blame. Will the Colts get a “small sample size” discount to keep Pittman from hitting the open market? Not likely. Indy is flush with cap space, destined to keep their core intact to build around Anthony Richardson, and don’t have an easy way to replace their WR1 currently. Spotrac projects a 4 year extension that includes $40M fully guaranteed, through 2025.

Amari Cooper (Browns, 30)

Quick Details
2 years, $45,000,000
$22,500,000 AAV
$35M guaranteed at signing
$45M practically guaranteed

Cooper is entering a contract year in Cleveland, set to earn a non-guaranteed $20M in 2024. Spotrac is projecting a 2 year, $45M tack on (3 years, $65M total), including $35M fully guaranteed through 2025. It’s a bit of a soft extension in comparison to many others noted here, but the Browns are likely looking to tread lightly in many areas with so many mouths already fed around the roster. $45M guaranteed is an awful lot more than $0.

Calvin Ridley (Jaguars, 29)

Quick Details
3 years, $66,000,000
$22,000,000 AAV
$32M guaranteed at signing
$42M practically guaranteed

Ridley was given every chance to establish himself as Trevor Lawrence’s #1 option in 2023, but failed to do so with any measure of consistency. That doesn’t mean he’s not a top-flight wideout in the league, and won’t be highly coveted on the open market (where he’s likely to go based on his trade condition). Spotrac’s projection sees him earning $43.2M over the next two seasons (about $4M less than two franchise tags). While the money doesn’t pop off the page, being considered “value” among this group could mean Ridley ends up in a spot that allows him to showcase himself into a much bigger payday. If so, look for a shorter (maybe even 1 year) contract to do exactly that.

Austin Eckroat wins the Cognizant Classic. Eckroat earns $1.62 million bringing his 2024 on-course earnings to $1.78 million and his career on-course earnings to $4.49 million. 

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Joaquin Niemann wins the third LIV Golf event of 2024 at Jeddah earning himself $4 million. Niemann's career LIV Golf earnings (individual + team) is now at $16.9 million.

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The NBA is an ecosystem. There are good teams, there are bad teams and there are teams just sort of hanging around the middle. It’s a world of predators, prey and those content to live life uneaten.

Sometimes the prey grows large enough that they become the predators. Sometimes the predators weaken enough that the prey picks them apart until there’s only scraps left as a reminder of their former dominance.

For most of their existence, despite their predatory namesakes, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been prey vs predators.

It took until their eighth year of existence to make the playoffs. Led by the snarling ferocity of Kevin Garnett, the Timberwolves became a playoff mainstay. Unfortunately, all but one of those years were one-and-done appearances. In 2004, that changed and Minnesota made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. Those Wolves pushed the Los Angeles Lakers hard in a six-game series.

Then, just like that, the predator became the prey again.

Minnesota slipped a bit in 2004-05, then they fell off the cliff. That fall saw a baker’s dozen worth of years without even really sniffing the playoffs. A few years into the drought, Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics and the Wolves were left at the bottom of the NBA.

Sure, there was the blip in 2018, when the team snapped the playoff drought. Then everything got weird with Jimmy Butler and Minnesota was back to the dregs again.

That 2004 team is revered in Timberwolves history because of what it meant to Minnesota basketball fans. They finally broke through with Garnett and the best team in history. The Wolves were right there.

And then they weren’t. And they’ve never been close again.

2004 is also an interesting landmark in Timberwolves history for another reason. That season was the last time Minnesota paid a significant luxury tax bill.

According to NBA cap and roster expert Mark Deeks, the Wolves have paid the luxury tax four times. Twice, in 2007 and 2020, it was such a minor amount that it was probably a mistake for the team to not dodge the tax line.

In 2003, as the team was building towards the peak of the Garnett era, the Wolves paid $6 million tax bill. The next year, that ballooned to $17.6 million.

And that was the last time Minnesota went more than $1 million into the tax. In total, the Wolves have paid just over $25 million in luxury taxes in their 35-year history. That ranks around the lower-third of the NBA.

Barring some major moves, that’s about to change in a major way.

The Timberwolves are on pace to equal the 2004 team’s franchise record of 58 wins. They’ve been one of the best teams in the Western Conference all season long. They currently posses the NBA’s best defense and the offense is just good enough. Minnesota has a good mix of ascending superstars, establish All-Stars and win-now veterans.

The Wolves have what it takes to be a consistent contender for the first time in franchise history…assuming they’re willing to pay for it.

Everyone knows the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics are wildly expensive. Most know the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets have invested heavily into title contenders. It’s no surprise to see NBA luxury teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat climbing up the ranks of potential tax teams.

But the Timberwolves? The team that has been somewhere between terrible and irrelevant for most of their 35 years?

Yup. This is where the Wolves live now. It’s a nice place, but you gotta pay to live here.

At the start of the 2024-25 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the following fully guaranteed salaries on their books:

• Karl-Anthony Towns - $49,350,000 (estimated 35% of the cap max salary)
• Rudy Gobert - $43,827,587
• Anthony Edwards - $35,250,000 (estimated 25% of the cap max salary)
• Jaden McDaniels - $22,586,207
• Naz Reid - $13,986,432
• Mike Conley - $9,975,962
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker - $4,312,500
• Wendell Moore Jr. - $2,537,040
• Leonard Miller - $1,891,857
• Total: $183,717,585 for nine players

$183.7 million for nine players. That’s five players short of the minimum that NBA teams must carry. Let’s fill out the Wolves roster with five minimum salary players for now. That brings the total to a projected $189.5 million.

The NBA’s luxury tax line for 2024-25 is currently projected to be $171.3 million. Even without filling out the roster, Minnesota has blown way past that line.

The first apron for 2024-25 is currently projected to be $178.6 million. The second apron projects to be $189.5 million.

Bam. There it is.

If we remove key vets like Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris (both are unrestricted free agents this summer) and replace them with minimum salary players, the Wolves are already right at the second apron.

What if Minnesota makes a deep playoff run and brings Anderson and Morris back? (It’s worth noting that the Wolves don’t have younger in-house options ready to take the roles Anderson and Morris play.) Let’s plug them in $10 million each, which is a tick above where each is now salary-wise. But that’s less than the Non-Taxpayer MLE and it’s a fair value for both players. That, plus the corresponding (and optimistic!) three minimum salary players, brings the Timberwolves salary to a projected $207.2 million.

Let that sink in for a moment…$207-plus million.

That’s more expensive than this season’s Warriors or Clippers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves as the most expensive roster team in the NBA? Seems unfathomable, right?

Again: this is where the Wolves live now.

Now…let’s extrapolate things further, shall we?

Anthony Edwards is having the best season of his career. He was a second-time All-Star this season and his team is atop the Western Conference. There’s a great chance that’s going to come with All-NBA honors, and deservedly so.

If Edwards makes All-NBA, his 25% of the cap max extension will tick up to a 30% of the cap max extension. That changes his first-year salary from a projected $35,250,000 to $42,300,000. If we leave in the estimates of $10 million for each of Anderson and Morris and bump Edwards up, the Wolves salary lands at $214.2 million.

Whew boy… And it doesn’t end there! That’s just the team salary. We haven’t even gotten into the tax penalties yet.

Let’s really start spending Marc Lore’s and Alex Rodriguez’s money!

There are three basic scenarios here:

• Scenario 1: Team as is, no max bump for Anthony Edwards, filling out with five minimum deals
• Scenario 2: Team as is, no max bump for Anthony Edwards, $10 million each for Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris
• Scenario 3: Team as is, max bump for Anthony Edwards, $10 million each for Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris

(Yes, there are countless other scenarios we could run, but we’re going to stick with these three for instructional purposes.)

Here’s where everything lays out in each scenario:

• Scenario 1: Team Salary of $189.5 million, Tax Bill of $38.6 million, Total Cost of $228.1 million
• Scenario 2: Team Salary of $207.2 million, Tax Bill of $111.5 million, Total Cost of $318.7 million
• Scenario 3: Team salary of $214.2 million, Tax Bill of $149.4 million, Total Cost of $363.6 million

The saving grace for Minnesota in each scenario? They are a first-time tax team. So, no repeater penalties here…yet.

For reference, this season, the Golden State Warriors are facing a total bill of salaries plus tax penalties of $382.4 million. The LA Clippers are looking at $342.4 million in total. If we go further down, the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets are all around the $200 to $250 million mark in total. Next season’s Timberwolves project to fall somewhere in that grouping.

The one thing those teams have in common beyond massive financial commitments? They are title contenders, outside of the Warriors, who are still paying the piper from nearly a decade of title contention.

Which begs the question: Can you win a title in the NBA without paying the tax?

The NBA’s luxury tax system went into place with the 2001-02 season. That season and in 2004-05, there were no tax penalties levied due to inefficient Basketball Related Income (BRI). That means that as of the last full season, we’ve had 20 years where the luxury tax system (in all its different forms) has been in place.

In those 20 years, 15 NBA champions have paid the tax. The lone exceptions:

• 2006 Miami Heat
• 2014 San Antonio Spurs
• 2015 Golden State Warriors
• 2017 Golden State Warriors
• 2020 Los Angeles Lakers

That’s it. Five teams in 20 seasons. But what about contending for a title and making it to the NBA Finals?

Over that same 20-season sample, 27 of the 40 NBA Finals teams have paid the tax. In fact, every NBA Finals matchup during the luxury tax years has featured at least one team that paid the tax that season.

That leaves us with 75% of all NBA champions who have paid the tax (15 out of 20) and 67.5% of all NBA Finals teams who have paid the tax (27 out of 40).

So, back to our question: Can you win the title in the NBA without paying the tax?

You can, but it’s very difficult to do. It’s difficult to even get to the NBA’s biggest stage without paying the tax.

And that brings us back to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the sustainability of this current team.

As we’ve laid out, the Wolves are going to be somewhere between expensive and extraordinarily expensive next season. But Minnesota is also a title contender, or they at least look the part.

Maybe this year’s Timberwolves will break through and join that exclusive club to win a title or make the NBA Finals without paying the tax. But if they do, they won’t have that status for long. The math just doesn’t support Minnesota not being a tax team next season, barring something unexpected.

And therein lies the rub.

The Wolves have a new ownership group. And it’s one that needed an extension and additional partners to push their purchase of the team over the finish line. That new ownership group is also pushing for a new arena for the team. And, as we all know, new arena’s need public support to get built.

This isn’t Steve Ballmer buying the LA Clippers. Ballmer bought the Clippers, immediately committed to spending exorbitant sums of money to field a contender and then ponying up considerable sums to build his own new arena. This is a smaller market team with new owners walking into an expensive roster and a potential new arena battle.

However, to their credit, the Timberwolves seem committed to winning in ways we haven’t seen from the franchise before. Even with a looming extension for Karl-Anthony Towns already in place, Minnesota traded for Rudy Gobert and extended deals for Naz Reid, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley. That’s putting your money where you mouth is when it comes to winning.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are here now. They’re in rarified air as a franchise. Never has Minnesota been this well setup for long-term success as they are now. The Timberwolves failed to properly capitalize on the Kevin Garnett era, resulting in just that one beloved run in 2004. This current team will need to win, and win at a high level, to stay together. Otherwise, all the questions about being too expensive will start. That’s usually followed by roster changes, which often see a team take a step backwards. And that window before the questions start is a lot smaller than anyone ever thinks it is.

Wolves are an apex predator. They’ll have to pay to stay here, but it’s long past time for the NBA’s Wolves to stop being prey and to take their place as predators.

It’s been a minute since we’ve run the gamut on each team’s QB situation, so we’ll take a quick dive into the guaranteed salary breakdown for every player currently under contract, by team.

A few notes for reference:

Total Remaining: The total contract remaining
Right Now: Is already fully guaranteed
Soon: A guarantee will trigger in the coming weeks
Future Early: Salary or bonus in the next few seasons will lock in early

ARIZONA

The Cardinals have made it clear (this time around) that Murray is their guy. The contract concurs.

Kyler Murray

Total Remaining: 5 years, $196.6M
Practical Remaining: 4 years, $150M
Right Now: $35.3M of 2024 salary
Soon: $29.9M of 2025 salary locks in March 17th
Future Early: $59.35M through 2027

Clayton Tune

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

ATLANTA

There's a very real chance that Atlanta boasts an entirely different QB room by the end of the summer. Heinicke's looming roster bonus probably sends him back to the open market in a few weeks.

Taylor Heinicke

Total Remaining: 1 year, $7M
Right Now: None
Soon: $1.32M roster bonus due March 16th

Desmond Ridder

Total Remaining: 2 years, $2.6M ($0 guaranteed)

BALTIMORE

By March 18th, Lamar Jackson will be fully guaranteed through the next two seasons.

Lamar Jackson

Total Remaining: 4 years, $180M
Practical Remaining: 3 years, $128M
Right Now: $32.5M in 2024, $22.5M in 2025
Soon: $18.25M of 2025 compensation locks March 18th
Future Early: $29M through 2026

Malik Cunningham

Total Remaining: 1 year, $915k ($0 guaranteed)

BUFFALO

Despite five more seasons of term, Josh Allen's contract contains only two more seasons of practical guarantees. Things could get fun in Buffalo sooner rather than later.

Josh Allen

Total Remaining: 5 years, $189.5M
Practical Remaining: 2 years, $69.5M
Right Now: $29.5M in 2024, $25M in 2025
Soon: $14M of 2025 salary locks March 17th
Future Early: None

Shane Buechele

Total Remaining: 1 year,  $1.025M, $40k guaranteed

CAROLINA

With Andy Dalton already half-guaranteed in 2024, it's largely expected that he and Young remain the 1-2 punch for Carolina this season.

Bryce Young

Total Remaining: 3 years, $12.5M + option
Right Now: $12.5M
Soon: 2027 5th year option in 2026

Andy Dalton

Total Remaining: 1 year, $4M
Right Now: $2M
Soon: None
Future Early: None

CHICAGO

A lot might change in the coming weeks, but for now, Fields is on a 1 year guarantee, with an option decision due May 2nd.

Justin Fields

Total Remaining: 1 year, $3.2M + option
Right Now: $3.2M
Soon: $25.664M 5th year option (May 2nd)
Future Early: None

Tyson Bagent

Total Remaining: 2 years, $2M ($0 guaranteed)

CINCINNATI

Cincy locked in Burrow through 2025 at signing, and the deal is structured with stability through 2027.

Joe Burrow

Total Remaining: 6 years, $264.5M
Practical Remaining: 4 years, $173.4M
Right Now: $65.7M thru 2024, $35.25M thru 2025
Soon: None.
Future Early: $53.5M through 2027

CLEVELAND

Still fully guaranteed through 2026.

Deshaun Watson

Total Remaining: 3 years, $138M
Practical Remaining: 3 years, $138M
Right Now: $138M through 2026
Soon: None.
Future Early: None.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Total Remaining: 3 year, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

DALLAS

Something needs to be done to Dak Prescott's $59.4M cap hit. Will it be a mind-boggling extension? Also, Trey Lance is one of the most expensive backups in football right now.

Dak Prescott

Total Remaining: 1 year, $34M
Right Now: None.
Soon: $5M roster bonus due March 18th

Trey Lance

Total Remaining: 1 year, $5.3M + option
Right Now: $5.3M
Soon: $22.408M 5th year option (May 2nd)

Cooper Rush

Total Remaining: 1 year, $2.25M ($0 guaranteed)

DENVER

How Denver operates with Russell Wilson's contract over the next few weeks could change the way teams deal with large contracts forever.

Russell Wilson

Total Remaining: 5 years, $211M
Practical Remaining: 2 years, $76M
Right Now: $39M through 2024
Soon: $37M 2025 salary locks March 17th
Future Early: None.

Jarrett Stidham

Total Remaining: 1 year, $6M
Right Now: $1M of 2024 salary
Soon: $1M roster bonus

Ben DiNucci

Total Remaining: 1 year, $985k ($0 guaranteed)

DETROIT

Jared Goff has done more than enough to garner a top-level QB contract this spring. Will it come before his March 14th roster bonus is due?

Jared Goff

Total Remaining: 1 year, $26.6M
Right Now: None
Soon: $5M roster bonus due March 14th

Hendon Hooker

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3.8M ($0 guaranteed)

GREEN BAY

Jordan Love won't be playing out 2024 on an $11M salary, and that is far from a hot take.

Jordan Love

Total Remaining: 1 year, $11M
Right Now: $10.5M

Sean Clifford

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

Alex McGough

Total Remaining: 1 year, $915k ($0 guaranteed)

HOUSTON

The Texans have struck lightning in a bottle. Now to fill out the rest of this roster accordingly...

C.J. Stroud

Total Remaining: 3 years, $12.1M + option
Right Now: $12.1M through 2026
Soon: 2027 5th year option (May 2026)

Case Keenum

Total Remaining: 1 year, $3M
Right Now: $1M

Davis Mills

Total Remaining: 1 year, $1.3M ($0 guaranteed)

Tim Boyle

Total Remaining: 1 year, $1.125M ($0 guaranteed)

INDIANAPOLIS

The Colts MIGHT have struck lightning in a bottle. Now to fill out the rest of this roster accordingly...

Anthony Richardson

Total Remaining: 3 years, $11.5M + option
Right Now: $11.5M through 2026
Soon: 2027 5th year option (May 2026)

Sam Ehlinger

Total Remaining: 1 year, $1M ($0 guaranteed)

JACKSONVILLE

Will the Jags wait one more year to see if Lawrence can take the next step, or pay him now hoping to gain some value before he actually does?

Trevor Lawrence

Total Remaining: 1 years, $5.6M + option
Right Now: $5.6M
Soon: $25.664M option by May 2nd

C.J. Beathard

Total Remaining: 1 years, $1.92M ($0 guaranteed)

KANSAS CITY

Cash flow adjusted through 2026; Another Super Bowl won; It's just fine being Patrick Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes

Total Remaining: 8 years, $361.45M
Practical Remaining: 7 years, $313M
Right Now: $76.85M through 2025
Soon: None
Future Early: $64.5M through 2030

Ian Book

Total Remaining: 1 year, $985k ($0 guaranteed)

Chris Oladokun

Total Remaining: 1 year, $805,000 ($135k guaranteed)

LAS VEGAS

The Raiders won't owe Garoppolo a dime (suspension) to move on this March, putting them in the driver's seat for a Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields conversation.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Total Remaining: 2 years, $48.5M
Right Now: None.
Soon: $11.25M roster bonus due March 17th

Brian Hoyer

Total Remaining: 1 year, $2.3M
Right Now: $2.165M

Aidan O'Connell

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

Anthony Brown

Total Remaining: 1 year, $915k ($0 guaranteed)

LA CHARGERS

Plenty of change in LA, but not at the QB position. Herbert’s contract is rock solid through 2028.

Justin Herbert

Total Remaining: 6 years, $279.1M
Practical Remaining: 5 years, $228.6M
Right Now: $116.6M through 2025
Soon: None
Future Early: $85M through 2028

Max Duggan

Total Remaining: 1 year, $795k ($0 guaranteed)

LA RAMS

Stafford posted a fantastic 2023, making his fully guaranteed 2024 and soon to be partially guaranteed 2025 much easier to swallow.

Matthew Stafford

Total Remaining: 3 years, $94M
Practical Remaining: 2 years, $63M
Right Now: $31M through 2024
Soon: $10M 2025 roster bonus guarantees March 15th

Stetson Bennett

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

Dresser Winn

Total Remaining: 2 years, $1.755M ($0 guaranteed)

MIAMI

All signs point to an incoming Tua extension in Miami. He’s on a fully guaranteed $23M until then.

Tua Tagovailoa

Total Remaining: 1 year, $23.171M
Right Now: $23.171M

Mike White

Total Remaining: 1 year, $3.5M ($0 guaranteed)

Skylar Thompson

Total Remaining: 2 years, $2M ($0 guaranteed)

MINNESOTA

Kirk Cousins needs to be re-signed by March 13th to stop his full $28.5M of voidable dead cap from hitting their books in 2024. Also, they could use a starting QB.

Jaren Hall

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

NEW ENGLAND

It stands to reason that some team will throw a late draft pick out there for Mac Jones at $2.7M this year. His $25.6M option for 2025?

Mac Jones

Total Remaining: 1 year, $2.7M + option
Right Now: $2.7M
Soon: $25.6M option decision due May 2nd

Bailey Zappe

Total Remaining: 1 year, $985k ($0 guaranteed)

NEW ORLEANS

Carr's massive $30M salary cap conversion in 2024 probably solidified him staying in this contract through 2025.

Derek Carr

Total Remaining: 3 years, $120M
Practical Remaining: 2 years, $70M
Right Now: $30M through 2024
Soon: $10M 2025 roster bonus guarantees March 15th

Jake Haener

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

NY GIANTS

Daniel Jones is fully guaranteed through 2024, but maybe more importantly - $23M of his 2025 salary is guaranteed for injury. Playing him this year could be risky business.

Daniel Jones

Total Remaining: 3 years, $114M
Practical Remaining: 1 year, $36M
Right Now: $35.5M through 2024

Tommy DeVito

Total Remaining: 1 year, $915k ($0 guaranteed)

NY JETS

Let's try this again. Aaron Rodgers now lives on a 1 year, $38.1M contract. Will the Jets go all in this year?

Aaron Rodgers

Total Remaining: 2 years, $75.6M
Practical Guaranteed: 1 year, $38.1M
Right Now: $38.1M through 2024

Zach Wilson

Total Remaining: 1 year, $5.4M + option
Right Now: $5.4M
Soon: $22.408M option decision due May 2nd

PHILADELPHIA

Jalen Hurts' contract is rock solid through 2027, so the Eagles have time to right this ship, but their contractual structures make it very hard to change a lot of things in a little amount of time.

Jalen Hurts

Total Remaining: 5 years, $235M
Practical Remaining: 4 years, $184M
Right Now: $85.696M through 2026
Soon: $16.5M of 2026 salary locks March 18th
Future Early: $22M of 2027 salary in 2026

Tanner McKee

Total Remaining: 3 years, $3M ($0 guaranteed)

PITTSBURGH

The Steelers are an early favorite to sign a veteran QB to compete with Pickett and his 2 year, $4.5M guarantee for the upcoming season.

Kenny Pickett

Total Remaining: 2 years, $4.5M + option
Right Now: $4.5M through 2025
Soon: 2026 option decision due May 2025

SAN FRANCISCO

Purdy’s contract is untouchable, so the focus here turns to who gets the backup gig again.

Brock Purdy

Total Remaining: 2 years, $2M ($0 guaranteed)

SEATTLE

Geno’s 2024 base salary was fully guaranteed a few days after the Super Bowl, and Seatle recently converted his looming roster bonus into signing bonus for cap purposes. It’s Smith’s team again in 2024.

Geno Smith

Total Remaining: 2 years, $53.2M
Practical Remaining: 1 year, $22.5M
Right Now: $22.3M through 2024

TAMPA BAY

Tampa Bay won the NFC South + Wild Card round game. Seems like an add or two should probably be made here.

Kyle Trask

Total Remaining: 1 year, $1.4M ($0 guaranteed)

TENNESSEE

If Levis can figure it out, there’s still plenty of time for value here. Tennessee remains a dark horse to sign a veteran QB however.

Will Levis

Total Remaining: 3 years, $4.84M
Right Now: $4.03M through 2026

Malik Willis

Total Remaining: 2 years, $2.57M ($0 guaranteed)

WASHINGTON

There’s a new sheriff coming to town. Will Sam Howell be a trade chip?

Sam Howell

Total Remaining: 2 years, $2M ($0 guaranteed)

Jake Knapp wins the Mexico Open at Vidanta. Knapp earns $1.458 million bringing his 2024 on-course earnings to $2.0 million and his career on-course earnings to $2.02 million. 

Mexico Open at Vidanta Top 10 Payouts

Full Results

2024 Earnings Leaders Update

Full List

The NFL has now set its financial thresholds for the upcoming 2024 season, including a surprisingly high $255.4M league salary cap. We'll take a look at a few updated figures from the top down, including spending floor info, minimum salaries, the veteran minimum cap benefit, restricted free agent tenders, & official franchise & transition tag values.

NFL League Salary Cap

The 2024 salary cap rose to historic levels this season, both as an overall number of course and also in terms of the amount of increase over last season's figure. The $30.6M increase shattered the recent leader in the clubhouse (2022: $25.7M), due in large part to the fact that all of the "borrowed" money for COVID-strapped seasons have now been accounted for. Also, there seems to be a fairly strong level of general interest in the league...

Related: Full NFL Salary Cap Listing

NFL Spending Floor

While the NFL doesn't have an annual spending minimum, the latest CBA continued to institute a 3-year threshold requirement. NFL teams will need to cash spend 90% of the next 3 league salary cap maximums combined. For instance, if the 2024, 2025, & 2026 league salary caps come in at $255M, $265M, & $275M ($795M total), each team will be required to spend $715,500,000 minimum across that span.

2024 Minimum Salaries

NFL minimum salaries got their usual $45,000 raise this year.

Veteran Minimum Benefit
Players with 4 or more credited seasons who sign a 1 year contract this offseason can qualify for a salary cap benefit. For instance, Player A has 5 years of service, and agrees to a minimum contract with a team this March. The player will sign a contract with a base salary of $1,125,000, however the salary cap charge will drop down to $985,000. Additionally, veteran minimum contracts can include up to $167,500 of bonus money (signing, roster, per game active, workout), and still qualify for the cap reduction. For example, Player A is given a $25,000 signing bonus and a $25,000 bonus if he makes the Week 1 roster in addition to his minimum salary. This represents a $1,175,000 total value contract in 2024. But for salary cap purposes, the charge is calculated as $985,000 + $25,000 + $25,000, or $1,035,000.

Related: Complete Minimum Salary Table

2024 Restricted Free Agent Tenders

Right of First Refusal: $2,985,000
The team will have a right to match any offer sheet, but there will be no draft compensation rewarded should the player sign an offer sheet and leave.

Original Round Tender: $3,116,000
The team will have a right to match any offer sheet, but will be rewarded a draft pick in the same round that the player was originally drafted should the player sign an offer sheet and leave.

2nd Round Tender: $4,890,000
The team will have a right to match any offer sheet, but will be rewarded a 2nd round pick should the player sign an offer sheet and leave.

1st Round Tender: $6,822,000
The team will have a right to match any offer sheet, but will be rewarded a 1st round pick should the player sign an offer sheet and leave.

Related: 2024 Restricted Free Agents

2024 Franchise & Transition Tag Values

Related: NFL Franchise Tag Historicals